Woman helps prevent ATM robbery in Maharashtra's Vasai; thief arrested

13-03-2021

A timely alert from a 45-year-old woman helped prevent an ATM robbery near Vasai in Maharashtra’s Palghar district on Saturday. The accused, identified as Salim Mansoor, entered the Bank of India’s ATM booth at Fatherwadi, Vasai, around 2:45 am, put down the shutter and tried breaking the machine. Sulbha Pawar (45), who suspected the thief to be in action inside the kiosk with its shutter down, returned with a lock, latched the shutters and informed the neighbours. Officers from Waliv police station arrived immediately, unlocked the booth, and arrested Mansoori. They also recovered a hammer and other tools from the site. Mansoori had managed to break a substantial chunk of the machine, but the cash in the ATM machine was safe, police officials said. Senior Inspector V Chougle said Mansoori, a resident of Borivali, has a record of theft. The police are investigating the matter.